Nerves of the Hand

The nerve supply to a region is usually broken down into a superficial (or cutaneous) group and a motor group. In the hand, we will examine the superficial nerves first. A knowledge of the territories supplied by specific nerves is important clinically in order to solve nerve damage problems.

We will take a look at the classical distribution of the nerves to the skin of the hand. Realize that there are several variations in the pattern of distribution of these nerves.

There are 4 nerves coming into the general area of the hand:

posterior antebrachial cutaneous

radial

ulnar

median

and these are responsible for supplying the skin of the hand. The distribution is shown in the figure.

dorsum of the hand

superficial nervesof palm of hand

deep nerves of palm of hand

The classical distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the hand are as follows:

Dorsum of Hand

posterior antebrachial cutaneous

skin of dorsum of wrist

radial nerve

skin of dorsum of thumb and 2 1/2 digits as far as the distal interphalangeal joint

ulnar nerve

ulnar 1 1/2 digits and adjacent part of dorsum of hand

palm of hand

ulnar nerve

sensory to skin of ulnar 1 1/2 digitsmotor to muscles of hypothenar eminencemotor to ulnar two lumbricalsmotor to 7 interosseimotor to adductor pollicis muscle

median nerve

sensory to skin of palmaraspect of thumb and 2 1/2 digits including the skin on the dorsal aspect of the distal phalangesmotor to muscles of thenar eminencemotor to radial two lumbrical muscles